10 Feng Shui Living Room Tips to Bring the Good Vibes Home

No matter the function of the space, no living room is complete without a couch—and, as it turns out, its placement can have a big impact. “As with any room you are applying feng shui to, it’s best to establish a ‘commanding position,’” Cerrano explains. “In short, this means the occupants sitting on the couch in the living room have a clear vantage point of who is entering at all times.”

After you select a commanding position for your couch, you’ll probably want to know where to place your television. “Most TVs these days are so slim that you could mount it on the wall, which helps keep a more sleek and neat presentation,” says Cerrano. When it comes to the question of whether or not you should you hang your television over your fireplace, Cerrano advises against it, if possible. “If that’s the only location in the living room to place it, go for it,” she says. “But if your intention is to create a space for greater connection and conversation with family, allowing the fireplace to be the main focal point is a much better option.“

“Depending on which method of feng shui you are using, the best colors for your living room could be determined by the compass direction, the five elements, or the Bagua map method,” says Cerrano. “Let’s say your living room faces south. In general, the suggested accent colors are within the warm scope of options: Reds, red-oranges, yellows, or even pinks and purples.”

Although Cerrano advises embracing color, she also cautions against using too much of it. “You don’t need to paint your entire room one of these colors,” she explains. You’ll still reap all the benefits of a hue if you incorporate it into your space sparingly. “You could have a neutral wall color (creme or beige) and accent your living room with noticeably warm colors through light sources, artwork, an area rug, or accent pillows,” she suggests.

When it comes to accessorizing your living room, you want to curate a collection of items that are meaningful to you, according to Cerrano. “Make sure what you choose to put out on display conveys happy ‘energy anchors,'” she recommends. “When you see these items, you should feel a smile in your heart or perhaps a sense of accomplishment, curiosity, or adventure,” she explains. “On a conscious and subconscious level, our environment is always influencing us.”

For a particularly small living room, Cerrano recommends hanging a mirror—but placement is everything. “Mirrors have the capability to ‘expand a room’ by making it look and feel bigger,” she explains. “Just be mindful of what the mirror is reflecting, as it doubles the energy of whatever it sees,” she cautions. You should also “select a mirror size that allows you to see your entire head, shoulders, and chest line to ensure you ‘capture your aura,'” according to Cerrano.

Plants play an important role in curating good feng shui in any living room because they “add ‘life force energy’ to the space,” according to Cerrano. “They can also help to purify the air and give the room a splash of unique texture with the leafy patterns,” she says. Common plants with positive vibes “include English ivy, peace lily, rubber tree, bamboo, succulents and the snake plant.”

“One of the easiest feng shui principles to remember is to not let clutter accumulate in your living room or in any room for that matter,” says Cerrano. “Some may debate this and say it doesn’t matter, and yet science has proven the negative mental and physical effect excess clutter has on the human mind and body,” she elaborates. “Whatever you do not need, use, or love, let it go.”

Stimulate bright, uplifting energy with natural light and layered lighting. Energy efficient lightbulbs mimic natural light, and they’ll last longer. Light is also associated with the fire element; one of five elements that should be represented in the room for harmony and balance. To improve feng shui in the living room, try to illuminate dark corners and shadows.

If feng shui is all about harmony, consider balancing décor materials so that one single material doesn’t overpower everything else in the room. This might mean opting for a variety of textures and finishes. For example, if you’ve got a lot of metal going on in your living room, soften it up with fluffy pillows and throws, and a house plant or two.

This story was originally published on December 4, 2017, and has since been updated.